Preventing Cancer with a Simple Test

Prevention and Treatment Consider all opportunities to minimize your family’s risk of cancer. Learn about how this test can help in your home.

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Lung cancer claims nearly twice as many Canadian women’s lives as breast cancer, according to 2017 Canadian Cancer Society data. This represents 10,000 women’s lives lost per year due to lung cancer. While there is no doubt that smoking dramatically increases your risk of developing lung cancer, it’s not the whole story. Health Canada has stated that 1,600 of these cancer deaths can be attributed to exposure to radon gas in homes. So it’s critical that we all consider opportunities to minimize our, and our family’s, risk.

Radon gas occurs naturally in the environment and can sometimes accumulate to high levels in residential homes, creating a hazard that can affect your and your family’s health. There’s good news, though: while you can’t see, smell, or taste radon gas, there are simple tests that can detect its hazardous levels, thus helping you take the first step in preventing radon-induced cancer.

Test your home radon levels

Health Canada says all homes have some level of radon, and their estimates suggest that about seven percent have high levels above the safe guidelines. Not everyone exposed to radon will develop cancer, but is it worth the risk when a simple test can help your peace of mind?

There are simple steps you can take to protect your family. Start by testing your home’s radon levels with an inexpensive home testing kit, available for order online and at major retailers. If your home has high levels, don’t despair. Hiring a certified radon mitigation professional can help you find the best way to reduce the radon levels in your home. Health Canada says that radon levels in most homes can be reduced by 80 percent or more, reducing your cancer risk and making your home healthier for you and your family.

Adopting proper lifestyle habits is key to living a happy and healthy life. From proper nutrition to exercise to home safety to disease awareness and prevention, being informed and proactive is the best approach to living your best life.